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Do you like the Grand Calibur? I am intrigued that it will take a full sheet of 8.5 x 11 paper. Are there many dies I will be able to use with this larger format?
If I were starting now I would get the grand calibur, however, I craft large. I make 5.5 in x 8.5 cards mostly and lots of shower decor.
I may put it on my wish list for Christmas if I can find it "cheaper" on black friday. I think you can use a 40% off coupon at Hobby Lobby (on line). I haven't ordered from them but I think most people find them reputable.
ETA the shipping would be around $12 so it would probably be best to work with your local Hobby Lobby to get one from the shop itself.
Last edited by RiverIsis; 08-29-2011 at 06:52 PM..
I love my Grand Calibur. It's easy to use and does a great job of embossing. I also like the fact that I can put multiple dies on the plates and cut them all at once.
I wouldn't worry about being able to find large dies. Since Spellbinders introduced them for the Grand Calibur, others are already jumping on the bandwagon to get a piece of the pie.
I was in the market for a larger die cut machine about a year ago. I have a cuttlebug and wanted a machine that would handle the larger dies. I chose the Big Shot Pro over the Grand Caliber for a couple of reasons.
I was able to get the BSP for $200 last year on thanksgiving day at Joanns.com - a significant price discount.
The BSP will take any die on the market today. The Grand Caliber will take large dies, but only if they are thin. It will not take the thicker sizzix dies. Also othe grand caliber is limited to dies that are abut 9 inches wide (i think this is the correct max width). The BSP will take dies that are a full 12 inches wide.
Some of the sizzix dies will cut heavier material - like matboard. The spellbinders dies are limited to cardstock.
Even though it was an expensive purchase I have no reqrets.
I was in the market for a larger die cut machine about a year ago. I have a cuttlebug and wanted a machine that would handle the larger dies. I chose the Big Shot Pro over the Grand Caliber for a couple of reasons.
I was able to get the BSP for $200 last year on thanksgiving day at Joanns.com - a significant price discount.
The BSP will take any die on the market today. The Grand Caliber will take large dies, but only if they are thin. It will not take the thicker sizzix dies. Also othe grand caliber is limited to dies that are abut 9 inches wide (i think this is the correct max width). The BSP will take dies that are a full 12 inches wide.
Some of the sizzix dies will cut heavier material - like matboard. The spellbinders dies are limited to cardstock.
Even though it was an expensive purchase I have no reqrets.
Glad you said - I didn't know about that option. Though the costs might be a bit prohibitive for me...
I love my Grand Caliber. I also own the Sizzix Big Kick, but found I was hardly ever using the thick dies. I mostly use embossing folders and Spellbinders dies. (I also just sent for a bunch of really fancy dies from Ecstacy Crafts, and can't wait to get them)!
I make a lot of little booklets of photos I print for people as gifts when we do things together, and the Grand Caliber makes very elegant shaped booklets. I cut out the outside of the booklet, then I cut the photo pages in the next size down. I also cut a photo for the front and glue stick it to the booklet. I then use a darning needle to poke three holes in the fold and tie the booklet together with embroidery floss or other cord.
(I print a title and the date over the front photo, and some I embellish with other things). Everyone I have given them to has been really impressed!
Yeah, I would love the Big Shot Pro, but it wasn't in my budget, especially since I also have the Pazzles Inspiration.
You can cut thin, cereal-box chipboard with the Grand Calibur. You can also cut felt, fabric, foil, and Real Wood paper from Creative Imaginations.
Quote:
Originally Posted by NancyK.
I was in the market for a larger die cut machine about a year ago. I have a cuttlebug and wanted a machine that would handle the larger dies. I chose the Big Shot Pro over the Grand Caliber for a couple of reasons.
I was able to get the BSP for $200 last year on thanksgiving day at Joanns.com - a significant price discount.
The BSP will take any die on the market today. The Grand Caliber will take large dies, but only if they are thin. It will not take the thicker sizzix dies. Also othe grand caliber is limited to dies that are abut 9 inches wide (i think this is the correct max width). The BSP will take dies that are a full 12 inches wide.
Some of the sizzix dies will cut heavier material - like matboard. The spellbinders dies are limited to cardstock.
Even though it was an expensive purchase I have no reqrets.
I just ordered the Big Shot Pro from Oh My Crafts. They have a 20% off coupon for items over $125. So it came to $215.99 before taxes and shipping! The best price I've seen so far. And for those who live in the US, shipping is free!
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